Dutch darters in trouble with strikes in UK: "What to do?"

While the darting action in the Alexandra Palace is in full swing, Christmas is rapidly approaching. Where in recent years a temporary return to the Netherlands due to Coronavirus was not possible for the Dutch darters, this year strikes in England threaten to throw a spanner in the works.

Because workers at English airports, among others, are on strike starting Friday, Dec. 23, there is a hindrance for darters who want to return. It is causing headaches, resulting in different ways of coping.

Vincent van der Voort, who managed to win his first match Thursday night against Cameron Menzies, indicates that it is playing up among darters: "Then you think: what should I do? I've been thinking about that for a while,'" stated 'The Dutch Destroyer'. Yet in the end he is quite resolute: "I had to stay in London for Christmas two years because of corona. That's just nothing at all. I'll come back in time and if plan A doesn't work out, we still have plan B, C and D."

A number of players share Van der Voort's opinion. So does Dirk van Duijvenbode, who joked he would return swimming if necessary to finish the World Championship. However, there are also darters who are taking the safe route and will stay in London for Christmas. This group of players includes Raymond van Barneveld: "I don't like going to the Netherlands and then having to return on Christmas Day. You know, because I play here every year, Christmas also does less with me."

The World Darts Championship will be halted from December 24 to 26 due to Christmas. Third-round matches will resume on Tuesday, December 27.